Portable PAP device with humidification
Inventors
Goff, Thomas G. • CHIANG, Kirby • BOWDITCH, Nathaniel
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12233214-B2
Publication Date
2025-02-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A portable, efficient, integrated humidification system for use, e.g., with a positive airway pressure devices. The portable, efficient, integrated humidification system described herein offers many advantages over current humidification systems! There are many advantages to a portable respiratory humidifier. Portability reduces the amount of space the humidifier occupies in the user's bedroom environment. Portability enhances travel for the user. With less to pack, carry, and manage, the user is more likely to remain adherent to therapy when not at home. Portability allows for better utilization in recreational vehicles, while camping, in foreign countries, in the sleeping cabins of trucks or airliners, and on marine craft.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a positive airway pressure system in which a humidifier is integrated in-line with an air conduit so that the humidifier is incorporated into the air flow path between an air flow generator and a patient interface. The system includes an air flow structure that integrates the humidifier such that the lumen of the air conduit and the lumen of the air flow structure form a continuous air flow path, and a humidification chamber receives water from a water reservoir and transforms it into vapor through a humidification element, which is added to the pressurized air via an aperture in the inner surface of the air flow structure.
A concave condensation channel is disposed in a portion of the inner surface circumferentially around the aperture, where it is configured to return excess moisture from within the lumen of the air flow structure to the humidification element via the aperture. The disclosed architecture supports handling moisture within the integrated airflow structure by returning excess moisture to the location that generates vapor, rather than allowing the moisture to remain in the lumen, and is intended to reduce rainout by placing the humidification close to the patient.
The document also describes optional condensate control and recovery structures, including condensate collection and concave condensation channels that return moisture to the humidification element. Additional features include water treatment and sanitization aspects, including filtration/demineralization media and ultraviolet sterilization/sanitization, along with sensors for maintaining fluid level and optional heating via localized/on-demand heating.
Claims Coverage
The claim set includes three independent claims covering an in-line humidifier architecture for a positive airway pressure system, with the core inventive features centered on vapor addition through an aperture in the air flow structure and return of excess moisture by a concave condensation channel. One independent claim further recites a condensate collection element lining a portion of the inner surface.
In-line positive airway pressure system humidifier with integrated air flow structure
An air flow structure including an inner surface defining a lumen, configured to integrate the humidifier in-line with the air conduit such that the lumen of the air conduit and the lumen of the air flow structure form an air flow path for pressurized air between the air flow generator and the patient interface.
Vapor addition via aperture in the inner surface
A humidification chamber configured to receive water from a water reservoir and a humidification element configured to transform water in the humidification chamber into vapor that is added to the pressurized air via an aperture in the inner surface of the air flow structure.
Concave condensation channel returning excess moisture through the aperture
A concave condensation channel disposed in a portion of the inner surface circumferentially around the aperture, configured to return excess moisture from within the lumen of the air flow structure to the humidification element via the aperture.
Humidifier with condensate collection element and concave condensation channel
A condensate collection element lining a portion of the inner surface of the air flow structure, configured to collect excess moisture in the lumen of the airflow structure, wherein a concave condensation channel is disposed in the portion of the inner surface and configured to return excess moisture from within the lumen to the humidification element.
The independent claims consistently require an in-line humidifier architecture where a humidification element generates vapor and injects it through an aperture in the air flow structure, and where excess moisture in the lumen is returned to the humidification element via a concave condensation channel. One independent claim specifies circumferential disposition of the concave condensation channel around the aperture, while another adds a condensate collection element lining a portion of the inner surface before the concave channel returns the collected excess moisture.
Stated Advantages
Reduce rainout by placing the humidification near the patient.
Improve efficiency through self-regulating condensate handling using the concave condensation channel and condensate collection/return to the humidification element.
Documented Applications
Portable, integrated humidification for positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, where the humidifier is integrated into PAP tubing and coordinated with the respiratory cycle.
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